Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health Science and Physical Activity

Course Summary

The understanding and promotion of an active lifestyle, proper nutrition and the positive impact it has on people’s lives, forms the basis of this degree. This programme aims to produce graduates with a strong academic base in health science disciplines related to physical activity and exercise. Students will graduate with a thorough understanding of health sciences and their application. Emphasis is placed on developing core health-related skills and competencies. 

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW 

The degree is comprised of a number of inter-related subject streams including health promotion and public health, physical activity, exercise physiology, nutrition sciences, and research methods. Core modules are complemented by supporting modules in IT and communications. Students are equipped with a unique blend of practical skills and knowledge in a broad range of health-related fields. This affords graduates numerous and varied opportunities to specialise in their favoured area, and offers a diverse range of career paths.

The modules on this programme have been designed to allow students flexibility. For example, we have seen students who were positive they wanted to study physiotherapy change to occupational therapy or diagnostic imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

YEAR 1

Students acquire practical skills in core subjects, including biology, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, mathematics, health and fitness, health communications, facilitation and group work skills, health promotion, information technology, kinesiology and exercise instruction.

YEAR 2

Core subjects from Year 1 are further developed with more emphasis on laboratory and practical elements related to physical activity and exercise. Key modules include Exercise Physiology, Health Psychology, Health Biochemistry, Health Microbiology, Research Methods, Biomechanics of Human Movement and Promoting Healthy Behaviours. 

YEAR 3

Students study specialist streams in more depth. These include Resistance Training and Programme Design, Nutrition, Health Promotion Practice, Physical Activity across the Lifespan, and Research Methods. Students also complete a research project on a topic of interest to them.

YEAR 4

Students will further specialise in Clinical Exercise Prescription, Exercise as Medicine, Physical Activity Project Management, Applied Statistics in Public Health, Qualitative Methods for Health Research, Advanced Facilitation and Group Work Skills. Eligible students will be able to choose an elective in personal training. A module covering Enterprise and Innovation in Health is included. Students also complete a 10 week work placement in Semester 2.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Ireland recognised Fitness Instruction Award is built into this degree. This means graduates are eligible to register with Ireland’s professional body representing exercise professionals. Graduates from the Certificate in Health Promotion and Wellness Practice are automatically eligible to apply to become an International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) Registered Health Promotion Practitioner. This means that graduates of the combined programmes have qualifications that are recognised worldwide.

ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS 

We have three health science programmes in ATU Sligo. Each of these programmes offer a pathways into the areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and diagnostic imaging/radiography. Students generally choose one of two paths – exit from our Level 6 or Level 7 programme and pursue undergraduate studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession OR complete our Level 8 honours degree and pursue Masters studies in their preferred Allied Health Profession.

Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

Please note that all three of our health science programmes are interlinked. Therefore, these programmes offer progression and exit awards throughout the various levels of study.

HEALTH SCIENCE FACILITIES 

Our exercise physiology lab boasts state of the art equipment for human testing, which includes:

• a Biodex Isokinetic System 4 which can test aspects of muscular fitness including maximal strength of muscle groups
• a BodPod which is currently regarded as one of the gold standard testing techniques to measure body composition,
• a Cortex Gas Metabolic Analyser for VO_2Max testing, which is an assessment for cardiovasculr fitness and fuel utilisation
• a G-Walk which can analyse aspects of how people walk such as gait analysis and weight distribution.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

Successful applicants to this degree will be required to undergo Garda vetting and a medical evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify students with special exercise requirements. This information is strictly confidential and any offer made will not be withdrawn on the basis of medical information supplied.

Hepatitis B vaccination will be required for work placement.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work in a wide range of areas related to health and physical activity, including sports development, sports science, physical activity promotion, health promotion and physical activity.

Graduates may progress into postgraduate programmes in various allied healthcare professions where the undergraduate competencies acquired in health science will complement their chosen career path. Graduates have gained entry to professional programmes in allied health areas such as physiotherapy, radiography and occupational therapy, both in Ireland and abroad.

Some students choose to exit after Year 2 or Year 3 and pursue undergraduate studies in the allied healthcare professions listed above.

Further Study

Graduates may progress to Level 9 and Level 10 postgraduate studies in ATU Sligo.

MSc in Health Promotion

MSc in Public Health Nutrition

MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition

Graduates may also progress to postgraduate studies at other third level institutions. Graduates have gained entry to programmes in allied health areas such as physiotherapy, radiography and occupational therapy, both in Ireland and abroad.

The most common progression route universities from ATU Sligo are University of Limerick,  University of Cork, University of Salford, Ulster University, Robert Gordon University, Northumbria University, Glasgow Caledonian and  University of Derby. Our staff are very knowledgeable and ensure students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview.

Testimonials

Laura Dunleavy completed our Level 7 degree in  AU861 BSc in Health Science and Physiology before continuing her studies to the final year of our Level 8 honours degree in BSc (Hons) in in Health Science and Physical Activity.

Watch below as Laura talks about the various modules she studied, the excellent facilities provided in ATU Sligo and an award winning project she completed. Since graduating from our Level 8 honours degree, Laura has progressed her studies to a Masters in Physiotherapy at University College Cork.

Did you know?

We offer this programme at Level 7 AU861 BSc in Health Science and Physiology Level 6 AU732 Higher Certificate in Health and Exercise Science

This degree offer a pathway into the areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and diagnostic imaging/radiography.

The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Ireland recognised Fitness Instruction Award is built into this degree.

Graduates from the Certificate in Health Promotion and Wellness Practice are eligible to apply to become an (IUHPE) Registered Health Promotion Practitioner.

In Year 4, students complete a 10 week work placement.

In Year 3, students complete a research project on a topic of interest to them.

Our exercise physiology lab boasts state of the art equipment for human testing. More information can be found on the course summary tab on this webpage.

We develop students interpersonal, communication, active listening, and IT Skills through various modules. These skills are highly valued by potential employers or for progression to further study.

The modules on this programme have been designed to allow students flexibility. For example, we have seen students who were positive they wanted to study physiotherapy change to occupational therapy or diagnostic imaging after experiencing different module strands in the programme, or vice versa. This situation occurs each year, and it is extremely important to allow this flexibility.

Our expert staff ensure that students receive appropriate references and advice prior to application and subsequent interview for further studies. This is a process our academics engage with every year, and they are extremely knowledgable of the requirements.

Alumni

"There is huge diversity in the degree. When you graduate, you can go straight into a career in a wide range of health related areas or continue your studies in areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography or speech and language therapy.

"I thoroughly enjoyed completing modules such as Kinesiology and Exercise Instruction, Resistance Training and Programme Design, Physical Activity Project Management and Personal Training. All these modules had real life practical experience working in labs and there were key learnings in how to instruct clients carefully when using gym equipment effectively and efficiently.

Working on programmes and projects related to physical activity was another very interesting part of these modules. Not only did I develop my health skills and knowledge, I also developed my interpersonal, communication, active listening, and IT Skills through various modules. These are really important skills to have too and ones I know employers look out for.

Since graduating, I have continued my studies. I am now in University College Cork studying a Masters in Diagnostic Radiography. Another of my classmates from ATU Sligo, Ben Treanor, is also in UCC studying the MSc in Diagnostic Radiography with me also."

Niall Carr, BSc (Hons) in Health Science and Physical Activity graduate and now completing an MSc in Diagnostic Radiography

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8